Last Day of Clinic

Our last day of clinic was this week, and it was bitter sweet! I had a really easy patient, I just did 4 sealants and the air/powder polisher PE. I didn't think I would learn much on the last day, but of course I did. I got another lesson on sharpening and was able to sharpen all of my instruments! I don't know how I got through my last few patients, my instruments were dull :) I am excited to go into next year, but also nervous because now the pressure is on! Goodbye year one of Dental Hygiene, hello summer time!

Class 2...say what?!

Today was a great learning experience. I had a class 2, and being the end of the semester, I guess I felt like I knew what I was doing! Ha ha ha..I used my ultrasonic and got in there really well and then just decided to get a scale check, what the heck! I failed to glance at my patients x-rays sitting right there, which would have showed me his radiographic calculus, thus prompting me to MAKE SURE I got everything. Sure enough, I missed 4 spots. Whoops! That was a good learning experience :) I did get the next side done and only missed one small area, so needless to say, I improved :) I also got 2 PE's done, as well as before and after pictures of my patient's sheet calculus! It was awesome!!

Class 1A...not too shabby..

I saw a 1A patient and it was so easy. My cute little girl only had her 20 baby teeth, so I was able to get 2 bitewings done, and she did a great job! I have only seen one kid back at the beginning of the semester so I was interested to see how I did today. It was mostly deplaquing, but she has some tartar on her upper mandibular molars, buccal side. I loved that I didn't have to do an OD check before I could scale, that made things go so smooth! My instructors gave me really good feedback and I feel like I accomplished a lot today!

Difficult patient and difficult day...

Today in clinic was a good day as well as a hard day! My patient has some mental and physical disabilities. I wanted to be patient and get her cleaned up really well. I did her whole right side and i missed only 2 spots, it was mostly de-plaquing anyway, which was hard too because I don't want to just scrape plaque all day. I was able to get good oral hygiene instructions and I feel like she is really trying. I am thankful for these experiences because it helps me become a better clinician.